travel tips on pakistan travel

These are excerpts lifted from Pakistan Travellers Companion, an amusing guidebook that has been passionately researched and charmingly written. Its lovable author, Mr.M. Hanif Raza – Mr. Borat of Pakistan, has been talked about in these pages.

Quetta Sight-Seeing
Apple orchards, rock formations, dry rivers (!) and wilderness.

Gwadar - Today and Tomorrow
It is the 2nd largest town of Balochistan today (2000). It could be developed as a great port but there are hundreds of rumours about its future.

Heights of Optimism
After seeing more than forty (40) capital cities of the world I can say positively that Islamabad has a great potential for development provided it can be saved from land-grabbers, encroachers, greedy politicians, inefficient and corrupt administration.

Wise Tip
Avoid hotels close to cinemas, bus stands, and railway stations. Such places can be noisy and not very safe.

Sleeping with the Enemy
Visitors using very cheap hotels should beware of biting bedfellows. Preferably carry a bottle of bug spray and use it whenever required because prevention is better than cure.

Great Rivals
Beggars are less common in Pakistan than in India.

More Rivalry
A major difference between hotel accommodation in Pakistan and India is that, almost without fail, even the cheapest hotel in Pakistan has attached toilet and bath facilities.

More More Rivalry
Some enthusiasts say “East or West, Lahore is the best”. No doubt Lahore is atleast equal to Delhi and Agra if not better.

Two Towns
Sibi has no other remarkable landmark except its jail. Shela Bagh, located at the mouth of Kojak Pass, is charming and looks neat from a distance at least.

Excursions in Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir
This approach route is dangerous because Indian army keeps on shelling this area without any reason.

Hotel Watching
At Rumbur (in Kalash Valley) there is a two-room basic hotel where the food is limited and the people of the hotel look dirty.

How to Spend Leisure Hours in Karachi
Boating, fishing, sightseeing, surfing, shopping and picture exposing.